Real Madrid defeated Sevilla FC 3-1 to establish a six-point cushion in the Primera División on Sunday as Real Racing Club Santander cruised past Espanyol to boost their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

Madrid made the perfect start when Gabriel Heinze headed in Wesley Sneijder's cross before two goals in as many minutes late in the half. Frédéric Kanouté volleyed in the equaliser after the hosts failed to clear a free-kick but within seconds the champions restored their lead when Raúl González finished nonchalantly after a chip into the box from Sneijder. Gonzalo Higuaín (64) secured the win when he slid in to convert Guti's cross.
Fifth-placed Racing are now level with Club Atlético de Madrid in the hunt for the final UEFA Champions League berth after a superb 3-0 win at fellow challengers Espanyol. Óscar Serrano (16) volleyed the opening goal and Pedro Munitis (26) made it 2-0 before Iván Bolado added a late third to move them five points ahead of the home side. UD Almería are up to eighth after first-half strikes from Fernando Soriano and Felipe Melo set up a 2-1 win against Levante UD. They leapfrogged UEFA Cup challengers Getafe CF, who suffered a 2-0 home reverse against CA Osasuna, and an Athletic Club Bilbao side held 1-1 at RC Recreativo de Huelva.
Valencia CF's erratic season continued as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat by RCD Mallorca at Mestalla, following recent successes against Madrid and FC Barcelona, with Daniel Güiza on target twice. Xisco went one better as he scored all three of RC Deportivo La Coruña's goals as they came from behind to beat Real Murcia CF 3-1. Finally, Real Valladolid climbed above Recreativo on goal difference and out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win against a Real Zaragoza side now just one point above the drop zone.